The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1887-06-23

AiAkkHi IihHAAt Aaf is@a" us S''' fS"f
aud began 70 limp sway. lie was uos
fair mark
Ano,heF sho, rang out ard the Indian
fell. while Flanagan, taking his rihe from
bis shoulder quietly remarked, "Wellr
there's one less to do ns harm. /"
The Indians now rode away beyond
rife shot II surely did not seem cour-
ageons 10 them 70 ababion the attack and
to fall back before an inferior force when
only two shots had been fred. But iba,
was their way. Blu, we kpcw there would
be another attack.
Yoa see. the Indians were determined,
il possible, 10 have our horses and pack
mules, aud their purpose vas 10 stampede
the animals il they could aod then TO fin
ish US at their leisure Their style OF
warfare required tha, we should be gotten
out Of the way with the least possible loss
to themselves. TLey had ns 10 wise, a.
IL were. 10 have mounted and tried to
cut our way out, through force OF two
hundred Iodians, would have been sheer
folly
la short time the rascals dismonnted,
aud a large number OF them began crawl
Jog toward us cautiously, ocoasionly firing
a shot The horses aud mules had quite
recovered from their fright, and we're
grazing as well as their larists and hobbies
would permit. Barlow would not allow
any ammunition to be wasted. By his
orders, Flanagan and another crack shot
occasionly put in an effective bullet, but
they fired only when fair mark was pre-
sented. The Indians attempted to set fire
to the grass, but it was too green and too
3 sant to burn well.
The sun was now well up and the morn.
ing had become intensely hot. Oar can
teens had nearly all been emptied and the
question OF water was already becoming
so serious that felt sensation OF relief
when ! saw the savsges preparing for
movement,
Thus far the conduct Of the indians
had seemed positively cowardly; but now
their purpose seemed TO be to overwhelm
us with rush, aud capture the stock with
one swoop. Down they came in furious
charge
Nov, men, give it to them, but don't
waste your bullets, exclaimed Lieutenant
Barlow. A rafting volley followed. As
the Indians came within rifle shot with
blood curdling yells. ponies and riders fell.
Still the savages kept on until our fire
became too deadly for them, aud then
they began to circle around us, still yell
ing like demons and continuing their fire
1t was a brave charge, but we had too
strong position for our assailants. They
gradually extended the radius Of their cir
Gle until they were beyond our range, but
the wretches had succeeded 10 stampeding
a dozen of our animals.
We had repulsed the charge, but at a
heavy cost for Lieutenant Barlow was
lying still aud motionless with bullet in
bis heart, and three private soldiers were
also dead Five more were wounded, in
cluding Flanagan whose right arm was
broken by shot
The command devolved upon me, and ]
had anything but an encouraging task TO
undertake. The wounded men were moan
ing piteously and crying for water. The
canteens were drained for their benefit,
and now the absolute dearth OF water com
blned with our other perils TO make our
desperate.
We could, however, see the Indians car
rying off their dead and wounded and we
knew that their loss had been a terrible
heavy one.
Whether the savages had given up all
hopes Of stampeding the rest Of our stock,
Or revenge had gotten the better OF their
cupidity, do not know, but they now
opened fire on our animals. and the poor
beasts we're killed outright. The fire upon
US was not very severe, but 1t was too ef-
ective, considering the small size Of our
One of the wounded men was
killed by stray bullet, aud another man
was wounded III the course of the after
noon. We now bad only eleven men fit
Ior duty / shall never forget the sunset
Of that day The sun looked like great
blood red ball as it sank below the straight
line which seemed TO be the western
line of the plain, and its ap-
pearance seemed to be an omen OF our
approaching fate. As dusk came ] was
OF another attack and You
,an hardly imagine the painful anxiety
With which | watched the whole horizon
)ccasionly there was solitary shot, bnt
here was no signs Of any movement, and,
inaiiy, darhuess put an end to our fears
II another assault.
1t was a fearful night. Oar raiions we're
,old aud our thirst was SO great that il
vas almost impossible to swallow our
ood. We were suffering severely. As to
myself, though, almost forgot my misery
o my pity for one Of the wounded men,
mere hoy in years, whose moaning and
appeals Tor water we're heart'rending
Morning came With il came renewal
II the desultory firing OF the Indians, who
seemed to have determined to wear US out
With thirst. fatigue aud anxiety, rather
ban trust to another open assault The
an, risiog red and frey in q cloudless
ky. gave promise Of another day Of beat
nd pitiless thirst My tongue was
iwollen aud seemed to ill NY mouth SO as
o render articulation almost impossible.
The Indians kept up their fire. bat our
iring ceased entirely, as wished 10 save
,nr ammunition for nse at close quarter 10
he event ol smother charge. oceasionly